G. Roger Edwards

I only this past week learned of Dr. Edward’s passing. He was my teacher in many courses at Penn and my dissertation advisor, and I benefitted greatly from his deep knowledge of all things Hellenistic. I also came to treasure his sharp and often barbed wit, and the breadth of his interests in music, the arts, and other topics non-archaeological. His work on the excavations at Gordion, Corinth and other sites in Greece, and on the collections under his charge at the University Museum in...

Mimsy and I knew Roger for five decades, at Penn, at Gordion and especially in Athens, where I learned much about Hellenistic pottery from him. In spite of a disagreement over chronology, he continued to be a friend, and we shall miss him.

June 24, 2009
I knew Roger for many years as one of the group of archaeologists in the Philadelphia area, but then I had the opportunity to work with him as editor for his volume on Corinthian Hellenistic pottery. He was a helpful, conscientious author, passionate in his views about his special field.

Marian H. McAllister (Philadelphia, PA)

Roger was first one of my professors, and later a collegue and friend. We sometimes played table tennis together in my basement in Philadelphia. When he later made an unsolicited gift of his library to the Institute of Nautical Archaeology (now mostly in Bodrum, Turkey), I was able to bring him to our headquarters in Texas, and he and I and my wife Ann had a splendid time together. So I was glad that we were able to stay in touch and see one another almost annually until 2008.

Professor Edwards was one of my teachers at Penn. A quiet, dignified man, he contributed a great deal to the Gordion Project and to the work of the University Museum. In particular, his work was instrumental in drawing attention to the chronological and cultural breadth of the Gordion material. He will be fondly remembered by his many colleagues and friends.

So sorry I didn't get to know you better or get to see more often. My boys and I will miss you Roger!
Love, Toni

I knew G. Roger first as student, then a colleague, and finally as a charming and delightful friend. As a professor, he opened my eyes to the beauties of Hellenistic pottery and taught me how the sublte nuances needed to identify the Greek vase painters. As a colleague, we worked together publishing CVA volumes on the museum's collections and spent many hours discussing the intricacies of the Gordion excavations. As a friend he was whimsical and gentlemanly and kind and surprising. I...

Roger Edwards was the advisor for my dissertation at the Univ. of Penn. His quiet support, generous advice and encouragement continued for many years, without which I would never have finished my PhD. I am deeply grateful for all he did, and for the years of friendship that have followed.

Dr. Edwards played a vital role in the Penn Museum's expedition to Kourion, Cyprus. When the project's leader died suddenly in 1953, Dr. Edwards was instrumental in bringing the work to an orderly...